Sail recommendation

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Just remember, 6.5 is a little small for "15-20mph" winds.
It's fine for 16-24mph winds, on a board that's a little heavy and fun oriented, not early planing nor speed oriented.
It can work with lots of pumping and waiting for gusts to get planing, but overall, in that kind of wind, a 7 or even 7.5 is recommended on that board.

AG80 · Joined: 04 Mar 2014 Posts: 39

I have used Ezzy Cheetah 6.5 and 7.5 on the Fanatic Shark 135. I agree with zirtaeb that the 7.5 may be a little better in 15-20 mph winds, but the 6.5 will work and give you more upper range.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

Depending on body weight and skill level, 6.5 Cheetah works well in 15 to 20 mph. Be sure to go to the Ezzy site and learn how to rig and tune your new sail. I'm 170 lbs. and on my 110 Atom IQ the 6.5 works great in that wind range.

SS77 · Joined: 27 Dec 2012 Posts: 12

thanks. I have a 7.5 Severne Gator. So i was thinking the 6.5 would fill a gap for me, since my only other sail is a an older style 5.5 sail. Looks like i need to still decide between the 2013 vs 2014 Cheetah. Sounds like there were some improvements between the years. However, with my skill level i am not sure i would notice. Still pondering this.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Still find it hard to believe anyone around 150 lbs can be happy sailing a 6.5 in winds of 15-20.
Past 3 days at Berkeley, winds were in that "15-20" range. I was using a 6.0 and a 13.7 lbs., 122 liter slalom board, and totally not happy with the windspeed or my choice of rigging. Easily could have used 7 meters.
Look at the charts. Berkeley was gusting up to 23 easily when I was out, and I was never really powered up.
Most guys were using 6.5's and 7.5's, barely planing with their heavier boards.
Yes, 118 lbs expert level girls were planing SLOWLY on their 105 liter sub 15 lbs boards and 5.6 wave sails. SLOW planing.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

I had the 2013 and I now have the 2014 Cheetah. You will not notice any real difference so go with the cheaper one.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

My 6.5 Cheetah is the biggest sail I have. I'm 170lbs. My Lite wind board is am Atom IQ 110. 15 to 20 means 17/18 average. I can be fully powered on that set up at my local lake...

J64TWB · Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Posts: 1685

Novaan, that sounds like a great board to be able to be fully powered at 170lbs with a 6.5 in 15-20. I am 145 and use a 7.5GTX in 15-20. Granted I will be overpowered at 20 but can deal with it. 15 not so much, on a 72cm 130L freeride.

I must try that board, sounds like a winner. Sorry to go off topic.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

The new free move boards are incredible in lite and gusty winds. Mine is 235x74 and has tail cut outs. I'm often on a meter smaller sail then others my size and the first guy planning. The Starboard with the tail cut outs, is like two boards. Gets going early and when it gets on the tail all the extra width all but goes away. The glide in turns makes it easy to keep your speed.....

dhmark · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 376

Mind your mast, make sure the Ezzy is compatible with what you have, but my Ezzys have rigged well on Powerex and Sailworks (same mast actually) dhmark